This week's bonus round of "Niner Talk" touches on all the Week 17 playoff scenarios 49ers fans should be concerned about.

Because of Bowman's 89-yard interception return for a touchdown, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons on "Monday Night Football" and will be going back to the playoffs for the third time in Jim Harbaugh's three seasons in the NFL.

The 49ers are in the playoffs, but where they play and who they play will be determined after Week 17. So with that being said, this week's bonus round of "Niner Talk" looks at how the NFC West will be won.

Three things need to happen. The 49ers need to beat the Arizona Cardinals on the road. The St. Louis Rams need to win on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. Last, the Atlanta Falcons need a win over the Carolina Panthers at home.

It's not entirely out of the question, but keep in mind, the Falcons-Panthers game is a 1:00 p.m. ET kick-off, so the outcome will be known before the 49ers-Cardinals and Rams-Seahawks games.

@TaylorPrice49 you think the playoffs will feature more pistol/designed runs for kap? feels like they've held back on them all year

It's very possible that has been the case. Harbaugh and Greg Roman are poker-like when it comes to showing scheme and tendencies. We've seen the zone-read schemes at times this year, but the 49ers have used more power-oriented running plays this season. However, we've seen LaMichael James worked into the rotation on offense slowly but surely. It's possible the 49ers will have new wrinkles for the postseason when everything is put out on the table.

I think the mindset is bring on whoever. There's no easy game in the postseason, especially if the 49ers have to go on the road. Wherever San Francisco plays, home or away, the same focus will be used by the team. The 49ers want to avenge last season's loss in the Super Bowl.

The opponent won't matter. It's all about winning games "by any means necessary" as Harbaugh has often said this year.

@TaylorPrice49 i keep hearing about lack of execution, what's the source of the problem?

Defensively, the 49ers are much healthier in the front seven and Smith is not dealing with the shoulder injury that hampered him in the playoffs last season. The injury required offseason surgery.

In the final weeks of 2013, Smith looks much more powerful and is collapsing the pocket on a regular basis. The best thing about the third-year outside linebacker is that he can bull-rush and use his speed to bend low and get around the edge. Smith looks like he has all of his pass-rushing tools at this stage of the year.

On offense, the 49ers will go as far as Kaepernick can take them. He's making plays with his arm and his legs which is a great sign. Kaepernick rushed for 51 yards and had a 4-yard touchdown on a power running play. With the return of Michael Crabtree, Kaepernick has options all over the field and is taking full advantage.

It looks like 'Kap' and 'Crab' have easily picked their chemistry right back up where they left off in 2012.

@TaylorPrice49 do you think the 9ers need the number 1 seed to get to the Super Bowl?